Several political parties in Tamil Nadu today staged protests against visiting Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa alleging he was behind the killing of Tamils in the island republic.
Police also foiled attempts in several parts of the state to burn effigies of Rajapaksa, who arrived on a three-day visit to India today.
MDMK's Vaiko, P Nedumaran of Tamil National Movement and Thol Thirumavalavan of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal, all known supporters of outlawed LTTE, were detained by police as they
tried to hold protests here.
CPI leaders R Nallakannu and D Pandiyan and Tamil film director Seeman were also taken into custody. However, all the arrested were released in the evening.
Over 100 PMK cadres, headed by MLA Velmurugan were detained near the Collector's office but were released later.
The Sri Lankan flag was burnt by volunteers of Nam Tamizhar Katchi, floated by Seeman, in front of a central government office. However, police doused the fire.
Protesters demanded that Rajapaksa be tried in the international court of law for 'war crime'.
Puthiya Tamizhakam president K Krishnasamy was also arrested when PT activists attempted to burn Rajapaksa's effigy and stage black flag demonstration in Coimbatore.
A DMK press release here said its MPs, accompanied by Congress and VCK MPs, would meet Rajapaksa in New Delhi
tomorrow and urge him to expedite resettlement of internally
displaced persons in the northern parts of Sri Lanka.
